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Bloom is the second wrap I’ve tested for Liora Rae – the first, Flow, can be seen reviewed here – so you can imagine I was excited to see how Bloom would stack up in comparison.

Bloom is a purple and duck egg blue riot of florals on a large scale geometric background – it’s a very busy pattern and this gives it great texture. In hand, Bloom does feel textured
but not rough. The fabric feels well broken in and floppy, and there is a heaviness to the wrap thanks to a double weave which gives it a 320gsm – a little higher than I usually prefer but Bloom does not wrap like a dense heavyweight.

In fact, it wraps beautifully.We tried Bloom in a few different carries, including double hammock and ruck variations, and it was just great with every single one. The fabric has lovely movement and molds beautifully, passes are easy to make and I experienced no slippage with this wrap. Even a single knot held well.

Bloom was brilliant in a single layer carry, thanks to it’s sturdy double weave, but I think it really shone in multi layer carries because that’s where you really get to see those great wrap qualities shine. I think this would be equally good as a shortie or a long wrap and although it wouldn’t be my first choice for a newborn, it’s definitely got the potential to be a fantastic all rounder for older babies right through to pre schoolers.

The busy pattern and close weave of Bloom is another reason that it should be a good wrap for older babies – you won’t be able to see every smudge from sticky fingers or muddy shoes, and it shouldn’t pull every ten seconds either.

Again, as per Flow, the hemming and labelling is perfection, and the wrap came with a tote and booklet.

Overall, I loved how this wrapped. I found myself reaching for it because I wanted to wrap with it, rather than because I had to. It was genuinely a pleasure to use, and I think Liora Rae have really got something right with Bloom.

Mama Twofish is a UK based small business, headed by the lovely Susie, who make fiddle necklaces. Fiddle necklaces are intended as a sensory aid for babies and toddlers during breastfeeding, baby wearing or even just cuddling. With brightly coloured wooden beads and soft Nylon cord, these necklaces are not made for chewing on or teething but for fiddly little fingers that might want to seek sensory or tactile input from a caregiver’s hair, clothes or skin. Athough they are not for chewing (as that can damage or mark the beads) the beads themselves are coloured with non toxic dye,which is reassuring to note.

Mama Twofish have been in the necklace game since 2012, and offer custom necklaces to match wraps, carriers and even clothes, as well as a comprehensive in stock selection in their Etsy store.

I was recently approached by Mama Twofish herself, offering a custom necklace in exchange for an honest review and of course I was only too happy to oblige. Susie began by asking me what wraps or carriers I have, and after I shamefacedly admitted that I have nearly thirty, we tried to narrow it down by theme (also impossible).I eventually settled on matching to my beautiful custom handwoven from Paper Street Weaving – a wrap I had made for my current womb dweller.

I sent Susie some pictures of the wrap, as well as the inspiration photo it was based on, and within the space of a couple of hours she had gotten back to me with beautiful clear photos of a necklace she’d made in my colours. She asked for my thoughts and reassured me that she could re do if it wasn’t what I had in mind. I had a particular arrangement in mind, and I felt comfortable in discussing that with her. We shared some ideas back and forth and she sent photos of three different bead layouts based on our conversation, one of which was exactly what I had in mind.

Once we had decided on a finished product, the necklace arrived quickly and beautifully packaged, with the added treat of a fancy teabag. The necklace itself is well made, with a sliding knot that enables you to put it on over your head without having to faff with clasps – this also allows you to wear the necklace as long or as short as you like, but with a built in limiter to prevent any accidental choking. The beads vary in size, and feel smooth to touch. The overall tactile effect is a pleasing one, and indeed my toddler was quite taken with it when we tried it on. Susie matched the necklace to my wrap perfectly colour wise, and I am very happy with the finished product. The custom process with Susie was a delight; she was attentive and clearly knew what to ask in order to get the best possible results.

Although the turn around time for my necklace was quite quick, she tells me that she usually advises potentially up to two weeks. The price point for her products is, I feel, quite reasonable at £13 to £14.50 for instock products (the lower priced necklaces are slightly smaller with slightly smaller beads) and £16 for a custom order. Postage is extra, but at £1.65 within the UK and £3.95 international it’s again very reasonable.

All in all I’m very happy with this product; it’s worth what it costs and the custom process was lovely. I can definitely and happily recommend Mama Twofish for all your fiddle necklace needs.

Rowan Bay is another new woven wrap company based in the UK. Created by Larissa Cooper, an ecologist and wildlife gardener, Rowan Bay has been borne of a deep love of nature, all things wild, and a passion for babywearing. … Continue reading →